First off: Rhinebeck. I seem to only be able to make it to the New York Sheep and Wool Festival every two years. This year was my third visit and I still get very excited by the thought of being surrounded by all that fibery goodness set against a backdrop of natures best autumnal shades.
We got to meet a few of the wooly beasts that give up their coats for our obsessions.
I love how this pair look like a shearing before and after shot, (bloggless Johanna's idea for a photo, stolen by me.)
And here's what I left with:
Some thick n thin wool in a deep teal that Katy made me buy.
Sock yarn in colour combos I couldn't resist!
Springtide cashmere - An indigo for a gorgeously soft and light scarf for me and one in cream for Mumbly, if she's good.**
I was drawn into one of the booths because it had some lovely old patchwork quilts covering the tables and it was because of those that I spotted this really cute lamb applique that I decided would be a perfect reminder of the wonderful day in the country!
Thanks ladies for a great day's shopping and petting - hope to see you there again next year!!
The following weekend was spent in upstate New York again. Early on Sunday morning we set off for New Paltz where we had a delicious lunch with some warming stout and a view of Mohonk Mountain House.
Lucky enjoyed basking in the sun and begging for scraps.
After lunch we took a stroll around the town and stubbled across a new, (to us), knitting shop - how fortunate!!
Knit and Be Happy is a very welcoming shop and if we had more time, I would've loved to stop a while to knit and chat with the lovely owners and other shoppers.
We had our first taste of Yurt living. Our abode for a couple of nights was this solar powered place in the middle of a large horse field.
The evening light was so beautiful - I loved the way it hit my water bottle.
I played around with shadows while the fella prepared our evening meal and Lucky ran wild and free!
It was my idea to eat pie for breakfast the following morning.
When you are close to the best pies in the Hudson Valley it would be a crime not to indulge.
The Farmstand had a good selection of pumpkins on display.
Unfortunately, the rest of the time in the country was filled with grey skies and downpours of rain but it was still lovely to get away from the city.
About a year ago I bought a circular knitting machine from ebay. It had not made it out of the box until last weekend - it's been a busy year!!
I didn't realize that it would be so dirty!
After consulting the relevant group on Ravelry, I let the pieces soak in a bucket of Marvel Mystery Oil. They are now waiting for me to get a scrubbing brush to them before I can get it working........
On the way to buy the oil, we came across the world's largest Pinata - this one's for you, Chris Crowley!!
Last weekend Lucky celebrated her 9th birthday. She displayed great willpower, resisting the urge to bite down on her Hallowe'en inspired gift while I took this photo. Minutes later it was chewed to bits. Stuffing and the talking mechanism strewn all over the floor. Claude let out a few cries of, "I come to suck your blood" before his demise.
Yesterday was my work's 2nd annual Hallowe'en Dog Parade. There were some wonderful costumes and Lucky had a blast fraternizing with the other contestants.
I had knitted her a stripy sweater and black beret. She entered as "Little Picasso".
She cane 2nd!!
(Yes, that's me with a baguette under my arm!!)
One of her prizes was a frosty dog treat. The rest of the world didn't exist as she licked the tub clean in seconds. (One of her other prizes was a fluffy toy which now is in pieces strewn across the floor. That's the last of the fluffy toys for a while.)
Well done Lucky - we're very proud of you!!
*I know it's Fall Back, but that didn't have the "go get 'em" ring to it that I needed for the title :op
** She just sent me a box of Maltesers, so she deserves a scarf :o)
Knitting for babies is fab. They don't care what you dress them in so you can make whatever you want. My problem seems to be knitting something for them before they reach their teens!
And here's my young niece, grimacing for a photo op on a warm Autumnal English afternoon. Thank you for modelling the wooly cardi your Aunty knitted and crocheted. I hope the weather stays too warm for you to wear it for some time.
I'm looking forward to meeting the new guard dogs. I have a feeling they will be double their size when I get there in December!
And while I'm there I will likely get to taste the fresh country eggs provided by the new pocks. Who knows?- I may even do some baking while I'm there too - Can't wait!!
The latest trip to the Catskills was more leisurely than usual. The fella hurt his knee so our hiking time was spent drinking and playing cards instead - hehe!
